Agatha Christie: Appointment with Death

"The mind can be stunted and warped as well as the body."

"They're bright mentally too."

Gerard sighed.

Jefferson Cope went on: "No, Dr. Gerard, take it from me, a man has got the control of his own destiny right there in his own hands. A man who respects himself strikes out on his own and makes something of his life. He doesn't just sit round and twiddle his thumbs. No woman ought to respect a man who does that."

Gerard looked at him curiously for a minute or two, then he said: "You refer particularly, I think, to Mr. Lennox Boynton?"

"Why, yes, it was Lennox I was thinking of. Raymond's only a boy still. But Lennox is just on thirty. Time he showed he was made of something."

"It is a difficult life, perhaps, for his wife?"

"Of course it's a difficult life for her! Nadine is a very fine girl. I admire her more than I can say. She's never let drop one word of complaint. But she's not happy, Dr. Gerard. She's just as unhappy as she can be."

Gerard nodded his head. "Yes, I think that well might be."

"I don't know what you think about it, Dr. Gerard, but I think that there's a limit to what a woman ought to put up with! If I were Nadine I'd put it to young Lennox straight. Either he sets to and proves what he's made of, or else-"

"Or else, you think, she should leave him?"

"She's got her own life to live. Dr. Gerard. If Lennox doesn't appreciate her as she ought to be appreciated, well, there are other men who will."

"There is-yourself, for instance?"

The American flushed. Then he looked straight at the other with a certain simple dignity. "That's so," he said. "I'm not ashamed of my feelings for that lady. I respect her and I am very, very deeply attached to her. All I want is her happiness. If she were happy with Lennox, I'd sit right back and fade out of the picture."

"But as it is?"

"But as it is, I'm standing by! If she wants me, I'm here!"

"You are, in fact, the 'parfait gentil' knight," murmured Gerard.

"Pardon?"

"My dear sir, chivalry only lives nowadays in the American nation! You are content to serve your lady without hope of reward! It is most admirable, that! What exactly do you hope to be able to do for her?"

"My idea is to be right here at hand if she needs me."

"And what, may I ask, is the older Mrs. Boynton's attitude towards you?"

Jefferson Cope said slowly: "I'm never quite sure about that old lady. As I've told she isn't fond of making outside contacts. But she's been different to me, she's always very gracious and treats we quite like one of the family."

"In fact, she approves of your friendship with Mrs. Lennox?"

"She does."

Dr. Gerard shrugged his shoulders. "That is, perhaps, a little odd?"

Jefferson Cope said stiffly: "Let me assure you, Dr. Gerard, there is nothing dishonorable in that friendship. It is purely platonic."

"My dear sir, I am quite sure of that. I repeat, though, that for Mrs. Boynton to encourage that friendship is a curious action on her part. You know, Mr. Cope, Mrs. Boynton interests me-she interests me greatly."

"She is certainly a remarkable woman. She has great force of character-a most prominent personality. As I say Elmer Boynton had the greatest faith in her judgment."

"So much so that he was content to leave his children completely at her mercy from the financial point of view. In my country, Mr. Cope, it is impossible by law to do such a thing."

Mr. Cope rose. "In America," he said, "we're great believers in absolute freedom."

Dr. Gerard rose also. He was unimpressed by the remark. He had heard it made before by people of many different nationalities. The illusion that freedom is the prerogative of one's own particular race is fairly widespread.

Dr. Gerard was wiser. He knew that no race, no country and no individual could be described as free. But he also knew that there were different degrees of bondage.

He went up to bed thoughtful and interested.

Sarah King stood in the precincts of the Temple, the Haram-esh-Sherif. Her back was to the Dome of the Rock. The splashing of fountains sounded in her ears. Little groups of tourists passed by without disturbing the peace of the oriental atmosphere.

Strange, thought Sarah, that once a Jebusite should have made this rocky summit into a threshing floor and that David should have purchased it for six hundred shekels of gold and made it a Holy Place. And now the loud chattering tongues of sightseers of all nations could be heard…

She turned and looked at the Mosque which now covered the shrine and wondered if Solomon's temple would have looked half as beautiful.

There was a clatter of footsteps and a little party came out from the interior of the Mosque. It was the Boyntons escorted by a voluble dragoman. Mrs. Boynton was supported between Lennox and Raymond. Nadine and Mr. Cope walked behind. Carol came last. As they were moving off, the latter caught sight of Sarah.

She hesitated, then, on a sudden decision, she wheeled around and ran swiftly and noiselessly across the courtyard.

"Excuse me," she said breathlessly.

"I must- I-I felt I must speak to you."

"Yes?" said Sarah.

Carol was trembling violently. Her face was quite white. "It's about-my brother. When you-you spoke to him last night you must have thought him very rude. But he didn't mean to be-he-he couldn't help it. Oh, do please believe me."

Sarah felt that the whole scene was ridiculous. Both her pride and her good taste were offended. Why should a strange girl suddenly rush up and tender a ridiculous apology for a boorish brother?

An offhand reply trembled on her lips-and then, quickly, her mood changed. There was something out of the ordinary here. This girl was in deadly earnest. That something in Sarah which had led her to adopt a medical career reacted to the girl's need. Her instinct told her there was something badly wrong.

She said encouragingly: "Tell me about it."

"He spoke to you on the train, didn't he?" began Carol.

Sarah nodded. "Yes-at least I spoke to him."

"Oh, of course. It would be that way around. But, you see, last night. Ray was afraid-" She stopped.

"Afraid?"

Carol's white face crimsoned. "Oh, I know it sounds absurd-mad. You see, my mother-she's-she's not well-and she doesn't like us making friends outside. But-but I know Ray would-would like to be friends with you."

Sarah was interested. Before she could speak, Carol went on. "I know what I'm saying sounds very silly, but we are rather an odd family." She cast a quick look around-it was a look of fear. "I-I mustn't stay," she murmured. "They may miss me."

Sarah made up her mind. She spoke. "Why shouldn't you stay-if you want to? We might walk back together."

"Oh no." Carol drew back. "I-I couldn't do that."

"Why not?" said Sarah.

"I couldn't really. My mother would be-would be-"

Sarah said clearly and calmly: "I know it's awfully difficult sometimes for parents to realize that their children are grown up. They will go on trying to run their lives for them. But it's a pity, you know, to give in! One must stand up for one's rights."

Carol murmured: "You don't understand-you don't understand in the least…" Her hands twisted together nervously.

Sarah went on: "One gives in sometimes because one is afraid of rows. Rows are very unpleasant, but I think freedom of action is always worth fighting for."

"Freedom?" Carol stared at her. "None of us has ever been free. We never will be."

"Nonsense!" said Sarah clearly.

Carol leaned forward and touched her arm. "Listen. I must try and make you understand! Before her marriage my mother-she's my stepmother really-was a wardress in a prison. My father was the Governor and he married her. Well, it's been like that ever since. She's gone on being a wardress-to us. That's why our life is just-being in prison!" Her head jerked around again. "They've missed me. I-I must go."